Wil Willis From Army Ranger to Pararescueman

A clip from the Better Broken Podcast with Wil Willis talking about his journey from army Ranger to Pararescueman.
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[@FNGACADEMY]

Please like and comment to support the show! We appreciate you!

[@pyeitme508]

Sure thing sir

[@joanneblack7697]

What a wonderful guest you have here. He is a Legend!! 💯

[@kenlandon7803]

Those were cool, I wish they were still making them.

[@rkplaylist8252]

That was a good show

[@jeffg3975]

I always appreciate it when someone interviews a PJ. We’re often overlooked. Only 4 out of 120 of my classmates went on to earn their beret. Some may have eventually made it through later. The attrition rate was insane.

[@jsmith3388]

Don't forget those who you say 'squat to piss' even though you know, and we know. Mad respect.

[@BubbaBros]

Ya PJ and CCT pipeline is the hardest in the military in my opinion

[@furthurondown]

we're all mad here

[@Mikeplaysdbd]

Hi I am interested in becoming a PJ but I don't if I should join them or become a army rangers

[@jeffg3975]

@@Mikeplaysdbd You'll have to do your research. PJ and Rangers are two completely different worlds. Each with its own pros and cons. It's very personality based. Also, you can't simply join either organization. Both require an arduous selection process. The PJ pipeline is 2 - 2.5 years long.

[@benclere6640]

I remember watching him on Special Ops Mission! Long before forged in fire.

[@FNGACADEMY]

same!

[@robertsmith4681]

Ditto, I never did learn his story before, just the Forged in fire stuff when they repeated over and over again that he had been a Ranger which is kinda what they do I guess..

[@PD-we8vf]

@@robertsmith4681haha yep. This guy loves bragging.

[@robertsmith4681]

@@PD-we8vf he earned it, i'm ok with that lol

[@DonGiggity]

I used to LOVE that show!!

[@PhantomZAKU]

Wil Willis? Hell yeah, haven’t heard from this guy in years. Total stud.

[@bombsaway6340]

As a former CSAR, SOF, the JSOC helo pilot, great to hear from a PJ. These guys are amazing, glad they’re on our side.

[@na-dk9vm]

You've achieved a lot. Would you care touching on the mentality required to keep pushing after achieving one great thing??

[@bombsaway6340]

@@na-dk9vm I worked side by side with PJs for years….my point. Very impressive group, great people doing important work.

[@na-dk9vm]

@@bombsaway6340 I know, but what I meant was, you've achieved lots in your career. What made you keep pushing to achieve more, even after achieving great things already

[@bombsaway6340]

@@na-dk9vm looking back on it, I was just in the right place at the right time. Maybe wrong place at the wrong time. I just wanted to fly, that started it all.

[@na-dk9vm]

@@bombsaway6340 as a JSOC helo pilot, you must have flown with some serious people

[@steveturner3999]

I first encountered the term PJ in high school in 75-76. There was a collection of Airman magazines at school. One of these had an article about PJ’s. I was intrigued. Years later I saw another article that delved more into the training regime. Bad ass. As a former EMT & High Angle / Confined Space Rescue Tech I can’t imagine doing what they do in a hostile environment. Sean, thank you for your service in Special Forces and Will thank you for both Rangers and PJ’s. You guys both kick ass in my book.

[@joanneblack7697]

OMG ... Wil Willis aka "Whiskey Whiskey". You amazed the heck out of me on that show where you singlehandedly carried out missions opposite other trained Spec Op operatives. You guys shot at each other with Simunition. The one where you single handedly snuck into a an old, fortified hospital and saved the hostage was just shocking. And my other favorite ... when you singlehandedly sneaked onto that boat ... and when the opposing Spec Ops team dressed up in Scientists clothing, they didn't fool you. You knew something was amiss. In some of the ops, you were "killed" ... but it was always one guy, you, against several others. It showed me what one man can do. That was a fantastic show!!! And my husband and I still talk about you years later ... Whiskey Whiskey. Thank you so much for your service. 🙏💜👍💯 💟

[@kooksies5712]

HNOLY SHIT, i loved that show but i did not recognise him here lol. Been trying to find the name of that show to rewatch but now i can just google the guy!

[@joanneblack7697]

@@kooksies5712 💓💓💓💯

[@maytronix7201]

You know it's all scripted right?

[@joanneblack7697]

@@maytronix7201 Don't know. Don't care. I still like it. Script or no script, I could not do ANY of the stuff WW did ... even on a Hollywood movie set.

[@maytronix7201]

@joanneblack7697 fair enough.

[@oxxnarrdflame8865]

I flew HC130s for a while and worked with PJs, impressive group of dudes. I called their huge gear lockers mini REIs. They had everything. I remember doing night training water drops off the coast of Florida, overcast with choppy seas. I went back and watched them loaded with gear jump off of the ramp into the dark abyss. I went back to the flight deck and thought, I’m glad I’m up here. 😊. Major respect for those dudes.

[@KennethMillerIV]

Have always loved this dude. Watched him for years. Appreciate every single interview he’s ever done.

[@DonGiggity]

When I was watching Special Ops Mission, he was a hero of mine.

[@McMeatBag]

Forged in Fire just isn't the same without him. One of my favorite stories I've heard from him is how amazed he was that the PJs let him have a roll of tape when he was a Ranger

[@FNGACADEMY]

definitely not the same

[@happinesshotel5375]

Shawn Ryan show, FNG and cleared hot! I have been here since day one! I’m like a big brother, I’m so happy where they’re at now!

[@craigwills5635]

Love y’all’s channel! Thanks for sharing these stories; was a Police Officer for 30 years & I’ve been struggling to keep it together mentally (not gonna hurt myself!) & it’s just a relief that they’re are people sharing their stories & experiences. Thank y’all for still serving us. ✊🏿🤟🏿

[@FNGACADEMY]

glad to help brother you are definitely not alone!

[@austism1]

Dude is humble AF ! I only knew him from forged in fire and never knew he was a PJ because he never said a word about it..... Just happen to be watching a PJ doc and saw him as one of the instructors and I was just in awe 😮 SO BADASS

[@Skyguy2017.]

Do you know which doc it was?

[@SpicyMilk_ttv]

Love hearing about stories of people who were there before me and hearing how things have changed. Now hearing about people who came after me, I'm glad I left active when I did.

[@johnnyboy6707]

The first time I saw this guy was on an old PJ documentary that follows a class from Indoc to pretty much the end of their pipeline. He was one of the cadre at the pararescue apprentice course towards the end of the documentary…he was so babyfaced back then! Then years later I saw him on special ops mission and I was like “Hey! I remember that guy!” …then along came forged in fire, wish he was still on it.

[@Sebitasdel305]

wait was he in Rescue Warriors ?

[@TacoDrell]

I remember when I first saw Wil on TV, when he was doing his show Special Ops Mission for the Military Channel. I LOVED that show! It's a shame it ended so soon.

[@stick3024]

Willis was a good dude... I was in 3rd BN with him.

[@jonathanvalle6582]

Buck I speak for everyone when I say we’d like to see more interview style videos like this with fellow SOF operators.

[@johnwalker5622]

I can attest to his statements. My dad was 1/75 in the 80s and I was 1/75 after 2010. I was one of the first RASP classes. Ranger Regiment was airborne infantry on steroids prior to 2001 but now they are more aligned with special operations. The hazing and torture culture was still there when I got out in 2014 but the mentally is to be the toughest and best in the world.

[@SilentProfessional666]

Haven’t watched you in a while. Your channel has come a long way. I’m back.

[@SieSo]

Wil Willis was my TCCC instructor when I was in the Marines. I remember him demonstrating log rolls on me when it was down-pouring rain outside.

[@viper7320]

Nice interview

[@snowbear163]

This is good stuff. I look forward to the full release. I always loved my Air Force guys. Always had jokes and the women were the best looking out of any branch. I love all the branches really, I just notice certain commonalities with each one. But love em all and everyone in them (except SEALs, don't ask.)

[@ChristopherKilian-fg6ds]

Snowbear, what about Coast Guard?

[@humanofearth7524]

Whiskey Whiskey! He taught my live tissue course before I deployed to Afghanistan. He can do a combat roll to pick up a unconscious patient. It was very impressive.

[@gregrobertson5576]

Ranger Roll?

[@btp9576]

Yea Rgr Roll

[@chaiwarrior11]

Saving this to watch later, not sure I am in the right mindset to view it this evening. Cheers, brother.

[@TrevorHolden-q8y]

love the interviews, keep them coming

[@Maniac1607]

The attrition rate for PJs is someimes higher than it is for SEAL training. Insane.

[@AmericanWithTheTruth]

Not sometimes. Always! We had 63 guys in my indoc team. Only one graduated. He was as a state running champion from Texas. We had Pro collegiate football players, seer swimmers from the Navy and Rangers that didn’t even make it.

[@ejd7881]

they have weaker recruit

[@johnhubbard858]

@@ejd7881they have the same introductory fitness test as SEALS.

[@Viper31300]

@@ejd7881yeah that’s not it at all. The pipeline is a lot longer and it’s much harder.

[@ejd7881]

@@Viper31300 it's not me who says that it's the pj themselves don't forget they are a support outfit

[@romeotango8650]

Went through AF SERE in 85, had a few PJs in the course, these guys were impressive to say the least; one of them was a prior navy corpsman who then joined the AF. I thought I was top of the class material, but these guys gave an inferiority complex… just for a moment thought ;). God bless our men and women in uniform. Pray that we don’t get into any more senseless and needless wars.

[@Bjawae]

Whiskey Whiskey has been a bit of a role model over the years. Solid American. We all got our temper from somewhere, and yet he carries himself with a demeanor that holds bearing and purpose to see things through to the end. Great motivator a do-er just being himself.

[@lordstarck2982]

I known this guy like Whiskey Whiskey from the greatest military reality show "Spacial Ops Mission ". I am so disappointed that they don't make more seasons. After that he rise again in Forge in fire. I can't wait to know note about him!!

[@arieltraasdahl-xh6ri]

Mr. Henderson, how are you. Nice to see you here. That's pretty cool. You seemed like the sort of folks that I've run into lately. Which is a series of slightly more accomplished folks.

[@gunguru7020]

Will was a good dude. Ran around in the same crews back in the day. I have a helluva funny story from his bday at the Traffic Light (legendary Ft Benning strip club from the 90s) Damn we were wild back then. Lord of the Flies type shit.

[@bionicsjw]

One of my best friends was a PJ in Vietnam. He routinely flew into North Vietnam and Loas to rescue downed pilots. Definitely a bad ass in his day.

[@martygivens6726]

We started with 48 and four of us graduated (1986-1987). Hoo-yah!

[@malindadenlinger882]

Thank you for your service

[@mitsulang]

I'm prrreeeeeeettttty certain that the military understands that folks tend to try harder to reach a goal if you tell them they suck...

[@June4Marcus]

Oh boy, you’d be surprised lol

[@FreeBayArea]

Need the full interview 👍🏻

[@Chris09978]

I saw him doing a basic trauma first aid course a few years back and he was showing the Ranger roll,when I saw him doing that it had to be the coolest thing that I’ve seen a PJ done lol Before I heard about Airforce special warfare I didn’t know airforce had a special operations unit, until I’ve heard about John Chapman who was a CCT and this guy had the courage to save so many lives to sacrifice his. He saved or prevent 19-20 rangers from getting killed in northern Afghanistan

[@rorschach8585]

Whiskey Whiskey from Special Ops Mission show...I loved that show!!!

[@rafaelalodio5116]

Damn how old is this guy? He seems to be on his 30s but he left the Rangers 25 years ago.

[@FNGACADEMY]

he's aging better than most

[@M0M0117]

Late forties or early fifties. Edit: 48

[@cubefarmerhkc9105]

BAMF - loved his show on the history channel way back when.

[@n.9924]

That’s crazy … thought about this guy the other day cause of that show special ops

[@mup8661]

Audio is crisp. Well done.

[@WarGasm0824]

I use to love his show special ops mission.

[@WholeBibleWithGeorgeCrabb]

Willis‼️ I remember you, bro! Aco 3/75

[@MI4486]

Remember that drive from Cocoa BeachThanksgiving “95? We stopped in Daytona to try and surf and then drive back to Benning, part of the way with panty hose pulled over our heads!

[@WholeBibleWithGeorgeCrabb]

@MI4486 I remember, bro! Those were good times.

[@thihsareb]

What can you tell us about the team concept that isn’t classified?

[@DoggyReal2]

It was Alfa-traz in 1989 too bro. A 3/75 under SFC S. T. Kelly

[@mcvickerf]

Any way I can get in touch with him?? I was in Macedonia and Bosnia around the same time he was in

[@XboxHanakman]

Excellent overall. I'd just omit the sound for the pop-up message, as it's distracting. Thank you!

[@waynehearst317]

\/\/ \/\/ in the HOUSE! This guy was the first legit OG military guy sharing the stuff he shouldn't be on KZbin and TV....the rest just followed.

[@jacobperez7168]

The Ranger Roll guy!

[@tacticalministries3508]

Special ops mission was my jam back in the day Whisky whisky

[@billbored8277]

Haven't watched one episode of Forged since he left. But he's a good dude, follow him on Instagram. But anyway, dude showed up for PJ selection as a smoker and hadn't even been training for it??? What a machine.

[@starchizzy6033]

Ooooh that’s my guy!!!!

[@noerosas7691]

That PJ pipeline is a 2- 2 1/2 year pipeline., Of just training.

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

When I was a teen in the mid 1980s I read how the Air Force Para Rescue, PJs had a stint of 5-6 YEARS where no applicants went completely thru the pipeline, training. Many quit or were drops 📂. A few were roll backs due to serious injury 🤕. The USAF & JSOC did not allow commissioned officers to be Para Rescue, 🪂 until the 2000s. They revised SOF units, doctrine.

[@rjestrada4186]

Great video

[@joegonzales9053]

Been a while since I've seen 'Whiskey. Whiskey'!

[@JohnnyOrellana-u9f]

I saw this guy in a ranger roll video years back😂

[@lewisticknor]

Love these videos! But I am a small businessman, so Amazon streaming is out, and I am in the music industry so Spotify is out...LOL

[@mostlyanchors168]

Will’s tv show was one of the best overall in the 00’s. I wondered what happened to him.

[@ensporium8857]

Is there more if this interview???

[@pyeitme508]

Wow legit 👏

[@LeDiamondDog]

The dude in forged in fire everybody knows this dude for this man 😂👍⚔️

[@gusm2752]

RANGER to PJ BAD MOTHER !!! WISKEY WISKEY 😎👍🇺🇸

[@azrielisrael8505]

hahahaha best opening ever bro!

[@FNGACADEMY]

thank you!

[@Thebluesky0311]

Where is the full interview??

[@FNGACADEMY]

spotify, will drop on youtube in the next week or so

[@Thebluesky0311]

@@FNGACADEMY Where's it on youtube?

[@CreateJDM]

Shout out to special ops mission huge part of my childhood!!

[@GOODERKIND]

Love the new podcast brotha...Just my two cents but I wish you would have just called the podcast "The FNG Podcast" because no matter what we all start out as the fucking new guy...and build our stories from there... either way... much love from Shiprock New Mexico!

[@tonycrouse6544]

I had a couple of PJ buddies when I was in the Air Force. Those guys were really cool and I was jealous of their intense training and skills, but I could out run both of them in terms of speed and distance. Overall they were much stronger than me though.

[@ensporium8857]

Whiskey Whiskey 🇺🇲🦅🇺🇲🦅🇺🇲🦅

[@vlun1215]

Will willis was in the show rescue warriors from national geographic in the later season.s episodes.

[@vividchilling2492]

Going PJ Sept 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@ViktoriousDead]

I wish these old rangers could see the new battalion, they’d be blown away by how much more “SOF” it’s gotten

[@gunguru7020]

Curious about your perspective. While I can agree with you, I wonder what you base your opinion of the "earlier Regiment" on.

[@ViktoriousDead]

@@gunguru7020 pre-2004/5ish. Our training has gotten much better in terms of the mission set, gear, equipment and the mission itself. No longer used as a BP’s for SMU, mostly unilateral stuff, essentially ran late war Afghanistan and primary pax for ANSOF aswell

[@gunguru7020]

@@ViktoriousDead 👍 I was there from 95-04 and 10-16. I agree with all you said.

[@Shawn-fd4nc]

@ViktoriousDead I agree, and there are some dumb fuckers on these comment threads

[@JumpingJimmyJet]

awesome dude... being a PJ is the best job in the World. HooYah

[@adrianpimentel7014]

Is there more to this interview?

[@ronaldrey8474]

What age did you realize military took advantage of you ? S. Ryan mentioned this too.

[@anthonyramirez9003]

Whiskey Whiskey!!! Special Ops Mission. One of the best shows. My beloved sister was Air Force. This was back in the 1980's . She was stationed at Vandenberg AFB. She was murdered two days before my 18th bday.

[@smittyg6700]

Sorry for your loss.

[@afternoondoggo2287]

Full video?

[@FNGACADEMY]

coming soon!

[@nordan00]

He’s got that heavy smoker voice, that’s for damn sure.

[@cmorris3899]

Lerooyyy Jenkinsssss🚁⛑️

[@BlyGuy]

Damn, this dude must be in his 50's and doesn't look a day older than 40. Must be on a legit moisturizer regiment

[@mrcountit]

He taught us TCCC way back in 2013, haha 🎉

[@Ronin-FBA]

" These guys smell like soap" 😂😂

[@nathanspivey3642]

What podcast is this? How can I watch it?

[@jt.8144]

Long Live Special Ops Mission . good days back then.

[@michaelnyden8056]

I loved special ops mission show

[@crazywisdom2]

What does Wil do now ?

[@noerosas7691]

Dam Buck. You were going to be a Ranger and you didnt know about the black beret??

[@srinitaaigaura]

Will Wilis was one of the few who "made the cut"... 😂

[@2024MakeAmericaGreatAgain]

E4 Mafia?

[@ryankeyes3101]

I miss him on Forged in Fire.

[@FNGACADEMY]

its not the same

[@ryankeyes3101]

@@FNGACADEMY exactly

[@srsmedic8285]

I bet there audience dropped severely after his departure

[@chrisgeo1642]

After watching this and watching old episodes what will is saying shows on his face. That being said the criteria of the contest isn’t whether or not a trained weapons expert can make a blade functional for killing, my guess is Will could probably use almost anything as an effective weapon. The criteria is whether or not master knife builders and in some cases knife competition competitors think a blade meets the standards in their expertise. Or a recreation specialist thinks a replica of a historic weapon meets the specs and basic functionality of the weapon. So I agree with will that in television the goal is always the compelling narrative and like n most things when the narrative is forefront truth takes a back seat. That’s true in TV, it’s true in politics, hell it’s even true in friendship dynamics. The truth should shape the narrative but we all know it almost always goes the other way. So I do understand Will’s problem and I applaud his integrity but at the same time he signed up to work in TV entertainment where story outweighs truth when the two are opposed. The judges them selves have all drifted from their lanes. I mean what’s Doug doing talking about grain structure or setting forge welds. I happen to agree with Will in his assessments but at the same time he knew what he was signing up for and when one walks into to room of snakes they can’t really blame the snake that bites them.

[@chrisharm6242]

I remember we spent more time looking for a place to sleep ,.rather than going to the barracks…”Sleeping in the dirt for no reason “ -reason #265 why I got the fuck out😂

[@jamarjames9501]

They showed everyone that ranger video. I was 700lbs when I walked in and they said I'd be a guaranteed ranger possibly transfer to the Navy and become a seal after that 😂

[@smokey04b53]

Air Force Chow Halls? Where were you? I spent 3 years as a paratrooper at Bragg and my brigade chow hall was decent, but when I went to XVIII ABN Corps Special Troops, that DFAC won the best Army small DFAC award 3 years in a row. When I took a commission in the USAF though, I have never eaten in a USAF DFAC that was good. They were ok, (exception....Maxwell AFB chow was horrible - all fat, no protein - my hair didn't grow for 4 months...), but not "good."

[@mroctober3657]

"We started out as 20. Only 18 of us made it."

[@johntherevelator2020]

'120' guys, only 18 made it.

[@mroctober3657]

@@johntherevelator2020 None of them received a heroes welcome.

[@johntherevelator2020]

@@mroctober3657 I know. I was simply pointing out that he said 120.

[@mroctober3657]

@@johntherevelator2020 They rebuild them. Stronger, faster than before. They have the technology!

[@terrygarner4739]

Anyone who volunteered for a Ranger Battalion had to pass RIP first. They had a RIP course for the 2nd Ranger Battalion on Ft Lewis WA in 1980, I know this because I passed RIP in Feb 1980 and went to B Co. Your information is a bit off in its dates.

[@Roy-tg2il]

I was watching a buds video and thinking I could probably handle the physical and exhaustion. Then I saw an instructor tell a buds he didn’t have the balls to ring the bell. I said, “yup, that’s how I’d fail.”

[@paulstrathern4309]

@ 5:46 Yep. Indoc is no joke. And sometimes guys from other branches show up and think they're going to be able to cruise through because they're an ex-Seal/Ranger/Recon Marine/Green Beret. They get a rude awakening. I remember a tragedy at Lackland a few years back when a former Green Beret failed water con and came back and sh*t and k*lled the training commanding officer.

[@Scottmorena1]

Wow that’s insane. Yep you have to humble yourself in order to succeed and pass.

[@Somechonchon]

Was that in 2016? If it is then that day was when I graduated BMT. Our ceremony was a shit show when the active shooter alarm went off.

[@paulstrathern4309]

@@Somechonchon Yep. In April.

[@Somechonchon]

@@paulstrathern4309 sheesh didn’t know the full story. Crazy stuff I guess they also said he had ptsd from his army deployment days but who knows. RIP to the commander we had the honor to salute him with many others branches when they drove his body back a week later.

[@vividchilling2492]

He made it with smoking???